At Beach School, over 100 students (and principal) join in the bike train

Still from a video shot of this morning’s bike train at Beach School.-Watch it below- Like a cycling tsunami washing over North Portland in several waves, students (and parents) from Beach School showed, once again, just how inspiring and effective the local bike train movement has become. And — on a week where we read … Read more


‘Bike Train Lessons’ is subject of free talk Thursday

Kiel “Bike Train” Johnson.(Photo © J. Maus) The City of Portland’s excellent monthly “Bicycle Brown Bag” discussion series continues tomorrow with a presentation titled ‘Bike Train Lessons’. Kiel Johnson, who has spearheaded a flourishing local bike train movement will give the talk. Johnson will talk about, “his successes and struggles in building a bike train … Read more


Massive, inspiring school bike train this morning in North Portland

Still from video of 150+ person strong bike train at Beach School this morning.– Watch video below- What happens when you combine a City that prioritizes neighborhood bikeways, parents that are passionate about biking to school, and school administrators that not only encourage — but participate in it? You get a bike train that stretches … Read more


Walk and Bike to School Day roundup

The school band welcomed bikers and walkers to Atksinson Elementary in Southeast.(Photo: Rob Sadowsky) The streets were busy with kids and parents on bikes and on foot this morning as over 60 local schools took part in International Walk and Bike to School Day. From Sellwood to St. Johns, hundreds of people enjoyed a sunny, … Read more


Bike trains take off: Six schools on board, national TV, and more!

Kiel Johnson.(Photos © J. Maus) Few things excite me more than being able to introduce a new activism effort and then see it take off. A few weeks ago, we shared the news that 24 year-old Portlander Kiel Johnson (pronounced “Kyle”) was coordinating a conference on bike trains. (Bike trains are simply group rides where … Read more


At Beach School, biking and walking makes a stronger community

Beach principal Tom Breuckman.(Photos © J. Maus) The first thing you notice upon walking into the main entrance if Beach School in north Portland is a Safe Routes to School map with a listing of locations and times for catching a bike train. The placement of that map isn’t an accident. This is a school … Read more


Buffered Bike Lane with a bike symbol and arrow pointing forward

Conference will help schools get on the bike train

Get on the bike train!(Photo © J. Maus) Remember back in May when I happened upon the Beach Elementary School bike train? Now, a former volunteer intern with the City of Portland’s Safe Routes to Schools program is organizing the first-ever Portland Bike Train Conference. Recent college grad Kiel Johnson says he helped get the … Read more


Once prohibited, biking now a big part of Beach School

[This story was written by BikePortland contributor and Beach School parent, Chris Sullivan] The Bike Fairy greeted kids at Beach School on Friday.(Photos: Chris Sullivan) A few years ago, bikes were forbidden at Beach School in North Portland. Here’s a snip from the school’s 2002-03 family handbook: “Bicycles, Skateboards, Roller Skates, etc… Due to the … Read more